Meaning making after a near-death experience: The relevance of intrapsychic and interpersonal dynamics.
Simone Bianco, Marco Sambin, Arianna Palmieri
Death Studies October 1, 2017 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2017.1310768 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 6 |
| Population | Individuals who reported having had a near-death experience |
| Topics | Near-death experience |
| Key findings | Intrapsychic and interpersonal dynamics are implicated in the meaning-making processes of individuals integrating a near-death experience, and meaning-based approaches offer a feasible framework for support. |
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the processes used by individuals to integrate a near-death experience (NDE) and to discuss the use of a meaning-making component to help people who have had such experiences. A psychotherapist interviewed six individuals who reported having had a NDE. Transcripts of the interviews were coded using an interpretative phenomenological analysis. The authors identified intrapsychic and interpersonal dynamics implicated in the individuals' meaning-making processes, and the problems encountered during their integration of the experience. Meaning-based approaches are a feasible theoretical framework for shedding light on the NDE and providing support for people who have lived through them.